FAA asked to consider working group for tracon consolidationFAA asked to consider working group for tracon consolidation

May 15, 2008By AOPA ePublishing staff

FAA asked to consider working group for tracon consolidation

By AOPA ePublishing staff

At the latest in a series of public meetings about plans to consolidate the Palm Beach Tracon into the Miami facility, pilots and air traffic controllers explained their concerns and service needs.

But unresolved issues prompted Rep. Alcee Hastings’ (D-Fla.) staff to suggest that the FAA convene a stakeholder working group to analyze the consolidation proposal and determine the best way to move forward. An FAA representative attending the meeting agreed to present the idea to management for consideration.

“AOPA has told the FAA what’s important for general aviation as a whole, and individual pilots have done a good job of coming forward and telling the FAA exactly what they need in terms of tracon services,” said Melissa Rudinger, AOPA vice president of regulatory affairs, who attended the May 13 meeting. “If the FAA decides to create a stakeholder working group, AOPA will work hard to ensure that pilots’ needs are represented.”